As 2012 comes to an end, all of our hopes and dreams are renewed yet again for the upcoming year ahead. The new year tends to bring so much excitement to us all. It's what we all look for daily -- an opportunity to start over, to get things right.

As I make my resolutions and look forward to my personal renewal in the upcoming year, I've chosen to reflect on what 2012 has brought to light and give thanks to the many things in life that make life worth living.

Cheers to you my friends...

Here's to Diet Coke. My world revolves around you. Here's to the entrepreneurial spirit so alive and well in the USA that allows me to actively pursue my dreams on a daily basis. Here's to those who don't try to stifle such dreams. Here's to Christian Grey. Enough said. Here's to the remote start and heated seats in my Jeep for keeping my bum warm when it's 15 degrees outside. Here's to Matt Lauer for being so easy on the eyes every morning. Here's to Summertime in Northern Michigan.Here's to my father for teaching me about the stock market and how to invest appropriately for the future of my family. Here's to my hair stylist who makes me feel super human 6 days of the year. Here's to YouTube for making songs like "Gangnam Style" popular and allowing the novelty ridiculous dancing saga to continue. Here's to the dedicated college student who although is faced with minimal opportunity post graduation, gives me hope that the next generation running our country won't be entitled assholes. Here's to football season and three months of fun-filled Saturdays. Here's to reality television and the platform for success it gives to so many. Here's to the weatherman to which has the only occupation where 100% margin of error will still allow you to keep a job.Here's to bubble baths.Here's to Target. What did we do before Target? Here's to summer days and nights spent on the porch creating memories and sharing stories with great friends.

Here's to the Stay-At-Home-Moms/Dads who have the most unrecognized and under-appreciated job known to man. Here's to our school teachers who are growing, molding and, influencing OUR children while sacrificing time with their own children. Here's to the men and women serving our country, risking their lives daily to keep us safe and protect our freedoms. Here's to the families and loved ones of all those wrongly taken in tragedy this year. God bless you all.

And on a personal note... Here's to my daughter who gives me purpose I couldn't live without.Here's to the one and only man in my life (for another few weeks when baby #2 arrives). Thank you.

I was meaning to post this before Christmas, but I figure it's better late than never! Due to the fact that I'm now in my 36th week of pregnancy, exhausted, swollen, and larger than life -- this is how I personally related to Christmas this year.

Whether you're out tackling all the crowds doing some last minute shopping, or at home enjoying the beginning of a few days off to celebrate with the family... I hope at least one of these e-cards brings a smile to your face!

Growing up in Michigan, I learned at a young age how to and how NOT to drive in the snow and in all around bad weather conditions. Every year upon the first snowfall, I am reminded that apparently no one else learned these lessons as I did. Heaven forbid someone from the south be visiting "up north" and attempting to tackle these roads as I've also learned that they can't even manage to drive in the rain!!

Listen, it's NOT that difficult! Here are some simple suggestions courtesy of moi....

1) Slow the hell down! Your rimmed up Camero may be bad ass for the three months that the sun is shining here in Michigan, but if you keep driving like an ass, it may end up as my new hood ornament on my Avalanche.

2) Scrape your damn windows! If you don't own a scraper, it's time to invest $2.99 in one. The 5" x 5" window you've scraped out on your windshield using your cotton glove, is not enough. I think there are 5 other windows on your car for a reason -- DUMBASS! If those are covered in snow, you can't see me which means when you hit me, you will have MUCH bigger problems than just your stupidity.

3) Your fuel efficient PRIUS should stay at home. While I'm all about being "green" and making smarter economical decisions, I'm much more concerned for my family's safety which requires a four wheel drive vehicle at least 4 months of the year. Be smart here. You may save money on your monthly payment and fuel, but when you're spending $5,000 on repairs from the damage caused by the winter months and your inability to operate your rear wheel drive vehicle in the snow -- who's really ahead in the game?

4) The rules of the road don't change. Just because there's some fluffy white stuff may cover up some street signs, doesn't mean the rules of the road should be ignored. YOU CANNOT COME TO A COMPLETE STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD TO SWITCH LANES.YOU CANNOT MERGE ONTO THE HIGHWAY AT 20MPH -- YOU WILL CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. YOU CANNOT "CREATE YOUR OWN" PARKING SPOT BECAUSE YOU CAN'T SEE THE LINES ON THE ROAD.

If you participate in these activities, you deserve a seasonal drivers license. Moron.

5) Be patient. Need I remind you that you live in Michigan (or a cold weather climate state). Where the hell are you rushing to get to anyways? Everything stops from December - April, duh.

For those of you who may be reading my rant that are lucky enough to live in a warmer climate and not have to experience this type of thing... enjoy this reminder of why you should remain where you are!!

If you've been following me long enough, you know I have a mild obsession with Target. So much so that my daughter wakes up daily requesting an early departure for "Ta-get" -- normally before 8am. Anyhow, I was looking for a few last-minute gift ideas and stumbled upon this huge 50% off sale they are having. You know their everyday deals are good, but do they ever know how to mark down!!

Here's a few of the designer goodies from their Neiman Marcus Holiday Collection that they are showing online - but keep in mind this is an online AND in-store sale so you'll likely find much more in-store. Ohhh...Crayola art sets for $6.99, too!

As you may have noticed, I haven't been posting much this week in light of the tragedy this past week. It's hard for me to feel like what I'm posting for my readers and fans is truly valuable at a time like this. I promise, my posts will get more frequent again and status quo will take place once again shortly.

In the meantime, I've found an amazing resource for those of you looking to donate to those in much greater need affected by this horrible tragedy. Here are multiple options to decide how you can support the community of Newtown, CT

Sandy Hook School Support Fund: Organized by the United Way of Western Connecticut, this fund will provide support for the victims' families and the community. Mail check donations to: Sandy Hook School Support Fund c/o Newtown Savings Bank 39 Main Street, Newtown CT 06470.Newtown Youth and Family Services: This fund provides emergency counseling for family, staff, and community members of the Sandy Hook Elementary tragedy. Donations may be made online, here.Danbury Hospital: Partnering with local counseling and mental health agencies, the area hospital is providing immediate resources every hour of the day. Find out how you can help on their website.#26Acts of Kindness Campaign: Started by Ann Curry and in honor of the lives of the 26 children and adults lost, people have taken to the streets to fulfill 26 random acts of kindness throughout the holiday season in hopes that the recipient will pay it forward to someone else. Start your own #26Acts.My Sandy Hook Family Fund: A number of Sandy Hook Elementary parents of the children who survived have begun this fund to help with the immediate needs of the community, from funeral services to ongoing living expenses. Donate online or send a check to: 'My Sandy Hook Family Fund' c/o Wells Fargo Bank 26 Church Hill Road Newtown, CT 06470.Donate in the memory of the victims: This list details how to donate in the victims' names, as well as how to best express your own condolences, as outlined in their respective obituaries. View the donation guide, here.

The previous information is being shared with you from Marie Claire, THANK YOU!

These are too cute and WAYYYYYY too easy not to try out this holiday season! I've found a few different recipes that lend different options for the cream/frosting/whipped cream middle, so feel free to substitute and make your own creation.

First prepare and cook your mini-brownie bites in a mini-muffin tin. Make sure you fill each one only about 3/4 of the way to the top so you have more of a cylinder shape for your brownie. I plan to use our favorite brownie mix from the store, but if you're feeling adventurous -- go at them from scratch!

After the brownies have cooled, then you simply place some frosting/cream/whipped topping of your choice to the top of each brownie. I use the bottom of the brownie as the top for a flatter surface-- does that make sense? I will be buying a butter cream frosting from the store and piping it into place so it looks prettier. As you can see in the picture, some may put a layer of melted chocolate or fudge in between the brownie and frosting layer too!

Lastly, top with your strawberry (clean and cut off top obviously) and top with a dab of your frosting!

One of my first parenting blog posts a few months back, "It doesn't get better. Just different." shared my insight into todays parenting and the stresses and pressure that come along with it. At the time, it was one of my most heavily viewed posts and I received a swarm of private thank you's for speaking and sharing my truths.

After reading a post by Amy Morrison titled "Why You're Never Failing As A Parent" posted on Huffington Post earlier this week, I realized even more that this is an on-going struggle for many modern mommies and the pressure is still mounting for us all to perform, as parents, like superwoman.

I appreciate Ms. Morrison's thoughts and similar impressions as myself, but I most greatly enjoy her shared stories of how different life was when her grandmother was a new mother and would park her "buggy" outside of the store while she shopped. Upon returning home, she realized she had forgotten her daughter who was still sleeping in the buggy outside of the store but when she returned -- baby was still asleep and they went on their way. This all seemingly was no big deal.

I couldn't even imagine living in a world like this! I was such a panicked new parent, I would barely let anyone hold my child much less take her out of my sight for more than two seconds! When I showered, she came in the bathroom with me. When she'd fall asleep the video monitor was glued to me like it was part of my fashion statement. I'd stare at that monitor constantly and any hint that her chest wasn't moving up and down made me rush into the room to insure she was still breathing. EVERY, SINGLE, MOVE she made woke me up to make sure she was okay. I simply cannot imagine how my parents raised our generation without monitors, let alone how our older generations managed without 70% of the gizmos and gadgets that assist us in being super-parents today!

What do I take from all of this? Again, it reminds me that as long as you have love, and at least some common sense, you will succeed as a parent. Whether you deprive your child of milk for one feeding because life happened, or they accidentally fall off the bed when you're eyes glance away -- THEY WILL SURVIVE -- and most importantly, so will you.

Be well friends and celebrate this holiday season for the great parent you are!

Hubby and I were out FINALLY finishing our holiday shopping today. As we pulled into one of my favorite stores, World Market, and stumbled upon this ancient artifact. Have to say it has been some time since I've seen one -- or maybe some time since I've noticed one.

It got my brain thinking about the last time I had used one of these things. I'm thinking it had to be back in 1996 when I was paging someone on their beeper some stupid code like 143 meaning "I love you" or "meet me here" or some other garbage we came up with. Ha, beepers! Remember those? Ahhh....those were the days. I remember one of my choice ex-boyfriends had one of those text pagers where you could call an 800#, speak to a woman who would then page your message to their beeper. Clearly it's equivalent to today's text message but at the time I thought it was amazing. Nerd.

I remember waiting in line to use the one phone (out of six) that worked after seeing a movie at the local mall to call my parents alerting them that the movie was over and they could now pick up my friends and I.

I also remember wasting time while waiting for said parents prank calling 800#'s.

I recall pulling over in my 1992 Buick to return a call from my beeper in the depths of winter and in the freezing cold only to realized someone had paged me the number to their beeper. How do you page someone to a pay-phone? Oh, we managed to have this system mastered don't you worry.

My father seemed to enjoy sticking his finger into the change collector of each phone to see if someone happened to forget their returned change from a call that no one had answered. I was witness to the one time he found a quarter and you would have thought he struck gold! I'm sure that quarter instantly changed his life. Mission accomplished!

I also remember the day that the man thought it was okay to pull a fast one on us all and raise the price from .25 to .35 cents. I think that was the demise of Mr. Pay Phone. Requiring two coins per use, was just not in the cards.

Didn't matter much because by the time 1997 arrived I had met my new love and was set free....